Vehicle mounted hole driller



June 27, 1967 D. H'. FURUSETH VEHICLE MOUNTED HOLE DRILLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2, 1965 INVENTOR,

DEAN H. FURUSETH x x m T OiRN? June 27, 1967 D. H. FURUSETH VEHICLE MOUNTED HOLE DRILLER Filed July 3. 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HYD. CYL.

INVENTOR.

DEAN H. FURUSETH BY United States Patent 3,327,789 VEHICLE MOUNTED HOLE DRILLER Dean H. Furuseth, Rte. 3, Lancaster, Wis. 53813 Filed July 2, 1965, Ser. No. 469,130 1 Claim. (Cl. 173-38) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hydraulically operated post hole drilling apparatus for mounting on tractors. The apparatus has an earth auger universally mounted in depending relation to one side of the center of the tractor on a frame which is pivotally mounted in forwardly extending relation on a tractor for movement in a substantially upright plane. A reversible hydraulic motor is provided for driving the earth auger and double acting hydraulic cylinders are pro vided for driving the frame up and down. The direction of movement and speed of operation of both the auger and frame may be controlled by the operator with just two controls in the simplified hydraulic system which has only a single pump pumping fluid through a single relief valve connected to a first control valve for operating the hydraulic cylinders and to a second control valve for rotating the auger.

This invention relates to hole drillers and more particularly to new and improved hydraulically operated post hole drillers adapted to be mounted on tractors or other vehicles. 3

Known powered post hole drillers which are adapted to be mounted on a pivotable frame, such as, the loader frame of a conventional farm tractor or other vehicle, have been mounted in such a position that the operators view of the boring tool or auger is obstructed by the tractor during the boring operation.

Generally these drillers are pivotally mounted on such frames and loaders for movement in only one plane, usually fore and aft. Thus, when the tractor is resting on a side slope, it is impossible to drill a vertical hole because the auger cannot be pivoted transversely. In such a situation, the tractor must be turned so that it points either up or down the slope so that the auger can hang substantially vertically. However, due to various terrain conditions or obstructions, it is not alwa possible to maneuver the tractor so that it is pointing up or down the slope rather than resting sideways on it.

Further, in known hydraulic post hole drillers, the angers can only be driven in one direction, that is, only operated in such a manner that the auger will bore into the ground. This often makes extraction of the auger from a completed hole or a partially completed hole somewhat difiicult, particularly, where the auger becomes wedged in the hole by a rock or some other obstruction.

In present tractor mounted post hole drillers, generally the only downward force on the auger is the weight of the driller itself and the weight of the pivotable loader frame to which the driller is attached. When drilling in very densely compacted soil, such as soil comprised primarily of clay, this weight has often been found to be inadequate to keep the auger boring properly.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide a new and improved vehicle mounted hole driller which obviates the foregoing shortcomings of known post hole drillers.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel hole driller which can be mounted on one side of the pivotable loader frame of a conventional farm tractor so as to give the operator of same an unobstructed view of the auger during drilling.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel hole driller which is adapted to be universally joined to the pivotable loader frame of a conventional farm tractor so as to hang free, thus, insuring a vertical hole even though the tractor may be resting on a side slope.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a vehicle mounted post hole driller in which the direction of rotation of the auger can be reversed to facilitate extraction of the auger from the hole.

A further object of my invention is to provide a new and improved hydraulic system for a vehicle mounted post hole driller which permits a portion of the weight of the vehicle to be brought to bear on the auger, if desired.

Further objects, features and advantages of my inven tion will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction 'with the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment exemplifying the principles of my invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my hole driller shown mounted on a pivotable loader frame of a conventional farm tractor.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation view a portion of the hole driller embodying my invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a portion of the hole driller embodying my invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system for operating of the hole driller and loader frame.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a conventional farm tractor 10 having a front end loader frame generally shown at 20 fro-m which the loader bucket (not shown) has been removed. The farm tractor 10 is merely shown for convenience and it is understood that my driller 30 may also be used in connection with other types of vehicles. The particular frame 2 0 shown has an upright frame member 21 which is fixedly secured to the tractor 10 by any suitable means. A pair of elongated longitudinally extending arms 22 are pivotably secured at their rear ends to upright frame member 21. A transverse brace member 23 connects arms 22 adjacent their forward ends. A loader bucket (not shown) is ordinarily pivotably attached to the forward ends of arms 22 but, as shown in FIG. 1, is removed to facilitate the attachment of driller 30 to the loader frame 20. The arms 22 of loader frame 20 are adapted to be pivotably raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders 24 which are pivotably attached to the lower ends of upright frame members 21 and to arms 22.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the hole driller 30 comprises a boring tool or auger 31 and its supporting and drilling mechanism.

Referring to FIGURES 2-4, the supporting mechanism comprises a clevis 32 which may be pivotably attached to either of arms 22 by bolt 33 which is secured in clevis 32 by cotter pin 34. As best seen in FIG. 4, clevis 32 has a hub portion 35 having a hole 36 therethrough. A motor mounting bracket 37 is pivotably mounted in depending relation on clevis 32 by hole 36 which is disposed substantially at to bolt 33. Bolt 38 is secured in motor mounting bracket 37 by nut 39. Clevis 32 and bracket 37 together with pivot bolts 33 and 38 provide a universal joint for supporting auger 31. Therefore, auger 31 will always hang vertically even though the tractor 10 may be resting on a side slope or rough terrain.

A reversible hydraulic motor 4%) is fixedly secured to base 37a of the motor mounting bracket 37. The drive shaft (not shown) of motor 40 is keyed into an adapter bolt 38 which extends through 3 41 which is journaled in a bearing 42 secured in the base 37a of bracket 37; The adapter 41 is inserted into the hollow core 31a of auger 31 and fixedly secured thereto by suitable means such as bolts 43 and nuts 44. A spiral blade 31! is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the hollow core 31a as shown.

The hydraulic system for driving auger 31 and for pivoting frame 20 is schematically shown in FIG. and comprises a hydraulic fluid reservoir 45 and a pump 46 of well-known design having an inlet 47 and an outlet 48. A fluid conduit 49 of the usual type connects the inlet 47 of pump 46 with reservoir 45. A pressure relief valve 50 has an inlet 51 and outlet conduits 52 and 53. A suitable conduit 54 connects the outlet 48 of pump 46 with the inlet 51 of pressure valve 50. Outlet conduit 52 communicates with hydraulic fluid reservoir 45.

The reversible hydraulic motor 40 is controlled by a valve 55 having an inlet conduit 56 and outlet conduit 57 and a pair of hydraulic fluid lines 58 and 59. The fluid lines 58 and 59 communicate with the reversible hydraulic motor as shown in FIG. 5. The inlet conduit 56 of valve 55 communicates with the outlet conduit 53 of pressure relief valve 50. An outlet conduit 57 of valve 55 communicates with the hydraulic fluid reservoir 45. The valve 55 has a series of ports designated by the arrows A, B, C and D in FIG. 5. When the valve 55 is in the position shown in FIG. 5 the port designated by the arrow A connects inlet conduit 56 with fluid line 58 and the port designated by the arrow B connects outlet conduit 57 with fluid line 59 for driving motor 40. The manual control of valve 55 may alternatively be positioned so that the port represented by arrow C connects inlet conduit 56 with fluid line 59 and the port D connects fluid line 58 with outlet conduit 57 for driving the motor 40 in a reverse direction.

The hydraulic cylinders 24 of loader frame 20 are operated by a second valve 60 having an inlet conduit 61 and outlet conduit 62 and a pair of hydraulic fluid lines 63 and 64. The hydraulic fluid line 63 communicates with the rear end of the hydraulic cylinders 24 for supplying hydraulic fluid to the cylinders for extending the pistons thereof and raising loader frame 20. Hydraulic fluid line 64 communicates with the forward end of hydraulic cylinders 24 for supplying fluid for retracting the pistons of the cylinders to lower the loader frame 20. The inlet conduit 61 of control valve 60 communicates with the outlet conduit 53 of the pressure relief valve 50. The outlet conduit 61 of valve 60 communicates with the hydraulic fluid reservoir 45. Like control valve 55, control valve 60 has a series of ports designated by arrows E, F, G and H. The manual control of valve 60 may selectively put ports E and F into use or ports G and H into use. In the position shown in full lines in FIG. 5, port E is positioned to communicate inlet conduit 62 with fluid line 63 for supplying hydraulic fluid to cylinders 24 for raising the frame 20. When in this position port F connects fluid line 64 with outlet conduit 61 for returning hydraulic fluid to reservoir 45. Frame 20 may be lowered by positioning the control of valve 60 so that port G connects inlet conduit 62 with line 64 for supplying fluid to the forward end of the hydraulic cylinders 24 to drive the pistons into the cylinders. In this position port I-I connects fluid line 63 with outlet conduit 61 for returning the hydraulic fluid located behind the hydraulic cylinder pistons to the reservoir 45. Each of control valves 55 and 60 may be positioned such that all of the ports therein are out of communication with the respective fluid lines for stopping motor 40 and for holding a hydraulic cylinder 24 at'a desired position. The control valves 55 and 60 are positioned for convenient operation by the operator of the tractor while seated in his driving position.

In using my novel hole-driller, the operator thereof, with the loader frame 20 raised to such position that the auger 31 clears the ground, maneuvers the tractor to such position that the auger 31 is over the position at which the hole is to be bored. The auger is raised by positioning the control valve 60 so that ports E and F are in communication with fluid lines 63 and 64, respectively, whereby pump 46 supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure to the rear end of hydraulic cylinders 24. When the frame 20 is raised to such position that auger 31 clears the ground so the tractor can be maneuvered, valve 60 is positioned so as to prevent any flow of hydraulic fluid to or from the cylinders 24 so that the hydraulic fluid trapped in the cylinders 24 holds the frame 20 at its elevated position.

When the point at which the hole is to be drilled is located motor 40 is then started by positioning control valve 55 so that hydraulic fluid is supplied to motor 40 through port A and is returned from motor 40 via port B to reservoir 45. When valve 55 is in this position the auger 31 is rotated as to bore into the ground.

The operator then manually controls the rate of descent of the auger 31 by manipulating valve 60 so that hydraulic fluid is supplied to the forward ends of hydraulic cylinders 24 through port G for forcing the pistons into their cylinders 24. The hydraulic fluid behind the pistons of cylinders 24 is returned to the reservoir 45 via port H. It will be noted that with this novel hydraulic system, a portion of the weight of the tractor may be brought to bear on the auger for aiding in driving it into the ground by lowering the frame 20 to such a position that the front end of the tractor tends to be lifted from the ground.

When the hole is completed the rotation of the auger 31 may be reversed by positioning valve 55 so that fluid is supplied to motor 40 via fluid line 59 and port C such fluid being returned to reservoir 45 through fluid line 58 and port D. The auger 31 may then be lifted out of the hole while it is rotating in a reverse direction by positioning control valve so that port E connects inlet conduit 62 to fluid line 63 and port F connects line 64 with outlet conduit 61.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that my novel hole driller may be easily operated by a single op erator who has an unobstructed view of the auger from his seated position on the tractor since the auger is off set from the center line of the tractor.

It is further apparent that since the auger is universally joined to the pivotable frame of the vehicle on which it is mounted, the auger will always hang vertically even though the vehicle may be resting on a side slope or uneven terrain.

It is also apparent that the direction of rotation of the auger can be reversed while lifting the frame to facilitate extraction of the auger from the hole.

It is understood that my invention is not confined to particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as may come within a scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A hole driller for attachment to a longitudinally extending frame which is mounted on a tractor or the like for pivotable movement in a substantially vertical plane, said frame being adapted to be pivotably raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinder means, said hole driller comprising:

(a) an earth auger,

(b) means for universally mounting said anger in depending relation on said frame to one side of the center of said tractor to permit the operator of said tractor to observe said earth auger during operation thereof,

(c) a reversible hydraulic motor for driving said earth auger, and

((1) control means for supplying hydraulic fluid simultaneously to said hydraulic motor and said hydraulic cylinder means for simultaneously driving said auger and pivoting said frame; said control means having,

(i) a reservoir for a hydraulic fluid reservoir,

(ii) a pump having an inlet and an outlet,

(iii) conduit means connecting the inlet of said pump with said reservoir,

(iv) a pressure relief valve having an inlet and first and second outlet conduits,

(v) conduit means connecting the outlet of said pump to the inlet of said pressure relief valve, (vi) said first outlet conduit of said pressure relief valve communicating with said reservoir,

(vii) a reversible hydraulic motor for driving said auger,

(viii) a first control valve for controlling the operation of said hydraulic motor,

(ix) said first control valve having an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit, and first and second hydraulic fluid lines,

(x) said fluid lines communicating With said reversible hydraulic motor,

(xi) said inlet conduit of said first control valve communicating with the second outlet conduit of said pressure relief valve,

(xii) said outlet conduit of said first control valve communicating With said reservoir,

(xiii) said first control valve having means for communicating its inlet conduit With its first fluid (xv) a second control valve for operating said hydraulic cylinder means while said motor is driving said earth anger in either direction,

(xvi) said second control valve having an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit, and first and second hydraulic fluid lines,

(xvii) said hydraulic fluid lines of said second control valve communicating With said hydraulic cylinder means,

(xviii) said inlet conduit of said second control valve communicating with the second outlet conduit of said pressure relief valve,

(xix) said outlet conduit of said second control valve communicating with said reservoir,

(XX) said second control valve having means for communicating its inlet conduit with its first hydraulic fluid line and its outlet conduit With its second hydraulic fluid line for operating said hydraulic cylinder means to raise said frame and for alternatively connecting its inlet conduit With its second fluid line and its outlet conduit With its first fluid line for operating said hydraulic cylinder means to lower said frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS line and its outlet conduit with its second fluid 2,321,680 6/1943 Houston 173-44 line for driving said motor and for alternative- 2 3 4 557 9 1945 pi 173 42 1y connecting its inlet conduit with its second 2,734,722 2/1956 P k 173 22 fluid line and its outlet conduit with its first fluid 3,073,396 1/ 1963 Eckels 17338 line for driving said motor in the opposite 3,107,738 10/1963 Osborn 173-159 direction, (xiv) hydraulic cylinder means for raising and lowering said pivotable frame,

FRED C. MATTERN, I R. Primary Examiner. L. P. KESSLER, Assistant Examiner. 

